1/3. The operative stabilization and grafting of thoracic and lumbar spinal fractures.In this paper several concepts of surgical treatment of thoracic and lumbar fractures are reviewed. Most classifications of these fractures are primarily radiologic, but pathomechanical aspects are very important as these guide the insight into and the rationale of the different modes of treatment. The segment of movement can be considered biomechanically as a three-dimensional system, built up from two rings, linked together at five functional points of support. Our principal mode of surgical therapy after closed reduction by halo-femoral traction is anterolateral decompression, stabilization and grafting to induce fusion. In suitable cases, a dorsal or posterolateral approach and instrumentation can be combined with ventral methods. By using the primary anterolateral approach, one can reduce malalignment at the site where it is needed. decompression can be carried out where it is truly necessary. One can give support within the segment of movement at the logical place from a biomechanical point of view: the weight bearing part, i.e., the anterior ring. By excision of the injured bony and ligamentous tissue, motion in the damaged segment of movement is eliminated, the original height is restored by grafting, and at the same time the load-bearing capacity of the fractured area is repaired. By applying Zielke instrumentation one can compress the grafts in accordance with modern views on fracture treatment. This "philosophy" is illustrated with case histories and a decision making flow chart.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = motion (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/3. Orthopedic management of brain-injured adults. Part II.Orthopedic management of the head trauma patient is divided into 3 phases--acute, recovery and stable. The treatment of bone injury is the main thrust in the acute phase. Guidelines were formulated from a retrospective review of 91 head trauma patients including spine and other fractures. The recovery phase consists of prevention and correction of joint deformities due to spasticity. Position, range of motion and splints are the basic methods employed. Indications and techniques for phenol injection to the posterior tibial and musculocutaneous nerves are reviewed. Heterotopic bone formation will be identified in this phase and treated early. In the final phase, one and one-half years postinjury, surgical treatment is employed to improve extremity function. Procedures proven of value in treatment of stroke patients are applicable. Heterotopic bone can also be definitively treated by excisional surgery supplemented by new medical agents.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = motion (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/3. Dynamic CT scanning of spinal column trauma.Dynamic sequential computed tomographic scanning with automatic table incrementation uses low milliampere-second technique to eliminate tube cooling delays between scanning slices and, thus, markedly shortens examination times. A total of 25 patients with spinal column trauma involving 28 levels were studied with dynamic scans and retrospectively reviewed. Dynamic studies were considerably faster than conventional spine examinations and yielded reliable diagnoses. Bone disruption and subluxation was accurately evaluated, and the use of intrathecal metrizamide in low doses allowed direct visualization of spinal cord or radicular compromise. Multiplanar image reformation was aided by the dynamic incrementation technique, since motion between slices (and the resulting misregistration artifact on image reformation) was minimized. A phantom was devised to test spatial resolution of computed tomography for objects 1--3 mm in size and disclosed minimal differences for dynamic and conventional computed tomographic techniques in resolving medium-to-high--contrast objects.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = motion (Clic here for more details about this article) |